Anna Vaivare's refreshing and refined approach to comic book illustrations
Anna Vaivare is a Latvian illustrator whose watercolour style comics display a refreshing approach to the medium. Despite studying architecture, Anna has “always liked drawing, especially animals, silly creatures and creating characters.”
The illustrator’s introduction to drawing comic books was inspired by Latvian comic anthology Kuš! which is incidentally where her first piece was published. “That lead me closer to illustration and I think it has left marks in how I think about it, as I like to create additional stories in pictures, even if it doesn’t make a comic,” Ana explains. However despite her refined and contemporary approach to comics Anna is still developing a distinct style. “I am still searching for the right technique, lately I have been using combination of gouache and watercolours, partly because I like the result, but partly because I enjoy the process of painting itself.”
As a result her illustrations are full of energy and enjoyment. Anna’s mark-making is inspired using repetitiveness to display delicious textures, whether it be for swimming pool interiors or garments. Consequently Anna’s work displays an illustrator who takes time to research a subject and relishes in representing it instinctively. This has led to Anna creating illustrations for two children’s books. Her drawings for Saputrotā Putra by Leons Briedis won the International Baltic Sea Region Jānis Baltvilks prize for book art in 2016.
Still juggling two careers as an architect and illustrator, Anna’s portfolio displays how allocating time to a hobby can develop into a stimulating occupation.
Anna Vaivare: Swimming Pool
Anna Vaivare: Swimming Pool
Anna Vaivare: Swimming Pool
Anna Vaivare: Swimming Pool
Anna Vaivare: Swimming Pool
Anna Vaivare: Do not think he is homeless
Anna Vaivare: Do not think he is homeless
Anna Vaivare: Do not think he is homeless
Anna Vaivare: Spring Floods
Anna Vaivare: Spring Floods
Anna Vaivare: Spring Floods
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Lucy (she/her) joined It’s Nice That as a staff writer in July 2016 after graduating from Chelsea College of Art. In January 2019 she was made deputy editor and in November 2021, became a senior editor predominantly working on It’s Nice That's partnerships. Feel free to get in contact with Lucy about creative projects for the site or potential partnerships.